The Weekender: House Music Fest at Weequahic Park

Here are some of the events happening this weekend in Newark and neighboring towns. To see all the events click on "events" page on the home page.

NEWARK

WHAT: Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series - Second Annual House Music Festival
WHERE: Weequahic Park
WHEN: Saturday, June 23, noon-8 p.m. (rain date Saturday, June 30)
WHY GO: The 2012 Essex County Free Summer Music Concert Series brings a diverse group of musicians and entertainers to perform at locations throughout the historic Essex County Park System and provides residents with an evening leisure activity to enjoy the parks.

WHAT:
WHERE: Newark Museum's Dreyfuss Planetarium  
WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday from June 20 through August 19
WHY GO: The Newark Museum's Dreyfuss Planetarium is a dynamic interactive digital theater for learning about space and science. Two exciting planetarium shows will be offered to kids and adults.

The Planetarium will feature "Zula Patrol 2" at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. In their latest adventure, a routine fossil-hunting mission launches The Zula Patrol on a rollicking ride into Earth’s past! (Recommended for children ages 5 to 9; 35 minutes)

At 3:30 p.m., "Heart of the Sun" examines the Sun up close, describes how it creates the light that warms us and makes life possible here on Earth, and is used as a source of renewable energy. (Recommended for adults and children ages 10 and up; 35 minutes)

COST: Adults $5; children under 12, seniors and college students $3. Members: Adults $3, children & seniors $2

WHAT:
WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)- Prudential Hall
WHEN: Rubber Soul & Revolver: Friday at 8 p.m.; A Hard Day’s Night & Help!: Saturday at 3 p.m.; Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band & Magical Mystery Tour: Saturday at 8 p.m.; Let It Be & Abbey Road: Sunday at 3 p.m.
WHY GO: Beatles Marathon Weekend A weekend devoted to the Fab Four, including eight timeless LP’s—three albums per show—each recreated cut-for-cut, note-for-note in track order, employing some of the very best studio musicians and vocalists on the scene today.  
COST: $25-$45

WHAT:
WHERE: Newark Public Library, 5 Washington St., Newark
WHEN: Showing through July 21
WHY GO: Prints, photographs, artists' books and more. Visit this exhibition of recent acquisitions of the Special Collections Division.

WHAT:
WHERE: 260 Norfolk St., Newark
WHEN: Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 
WHY GO: Hip Hop Learning "Hip Hop 4 Life" is a six-week course of action that teaches students about the impact that Hip Hop Kulture has on societies in America and throughout the world. The Hip Hop Arts and Sciences will be taught utilizing multi-media technology presentations to guide students to find their life purpose from a Hip Hop perspective. There will be guest presentations and performances from other Hip Hop professionals as well. For more information, contact JahJah Shakur, 908-548-7652.

WHAT:  
WHERE: Skippers, 304 University Ave., Newark 
WHEN:  Sunday, 5:30–9 p.m.
WHY GO: Come enjoy our Sunday jazz matinee featuring a variety of well known and respected regional/local artists including Frank Noviello, Yotam Silberstein, Annette St. John, Marvin Horne, Bill Saxton and more.
COST: $10 minimum purchase during live performances.

BELLEVILLE

WHAT:
WHERE: Senior Citizens Building, Belleville 
WHEN: Friday 12:30 p.m.
WHY GO: Belleville Seniors meet every Friday, with coffee, buns and bingo following. New members are always welcome.

WHAT:  
WHERE: St. Peters Church, Belleville
WHEN: Saturday, 11 a.m.-noon
WHY GO: The Annointing Mass will be a bilingual and anyone can be anointed whose health is impaired. Through this Sacrament we receive a special outpouring of God’s love, and this Sacrament can also bring about an improvement in our spiritual and physical well-being. After the Mass, we will serve a light lunch in the Rectory. 

WHAT: 
WHERE: New Life Body of Christ, 393 Washington Ave., Belleville
WHEN: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
WHY GO: The Thrift Shop at Christ Church sells donated items of new and gently used clothing, household items, and some furiniture. All items are sold at very reasonable prices, which makes them affordable to local area residents and The Care Closet participants.

NUTLEY

WHAT:
WHERE: Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Dr.
WHEN: Friday, 3-4 p.m.
WHY GO: Wii, Xbox, or bring your own DS to play each other.

WHAT:  
WHERE: Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Dr.
WHEN:  Friday 2 p.m.
WHY GO: A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers.

WHAT:
WHERE: Nutley Little Theatre, 47 Erie Pl.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday 8 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m.
WHY GO: “Sordid Lives”: A black comedy about white trash! This raucous comedy was nominated for over 30 awards during its long run in Los Angeles.   When Peggy, a good Christian woman, hits her head on the sink and bleeds to death after tripping over her lover's wooden legs in a motel room, chaos erupts in Winters, Texas.  This play contains adult language and themes, and is not suitable for children.  
COST: Tickets are $15, with a $2 discount for senior citizens and students with ID.

WHAT: 
WHERE: Municipal Parking Lot #1, behind Janette Shop, off of William Street
WHEN: Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHY GO: The Township of Nutley and the Greenutley Committee are proud to announce the return of the Famers Market!  Patrons will once again be able to purchase fresh produce, cheese, artisan breads, organic coffees and teas, pickles and olives and more

BLOOMFIELD    

WHAT:  
WHERE: Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St.
WHEN: Friday, 11 a.m.
WHY GO: Do you knit, crochet, needlepoint, quilt? Then come to the Bloomfield Public Library Friday mornings and share your patterns/techniques with other crafters. Beginners welcome! 

WHAT:
WHERE: Buzzing Bees, 122 Broughton Ave.
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHY GO: There are openings for ages 0 to 6 years. Stop by and meet the teachers and view the school. Spots fill up fast! For more information call Vija at 973-676-2899 or email at buzzingbeeslc@yahoo.com.

WHAT: 
WHERE: 4th Wall Theatre, 449 Franklin St.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.
WHY GO: PARADE (Book by Alfred Uhry, Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown) is the true story of Leo Frank, a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in 1913 Georgia, who was put on trial for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, a factory worker under his employ. Through the difficult process of proving his innocence, Leo and his wife find a new way to love and support each other. 
COST: General admission, $24; Seniors, $20; Students, $15

WHAT:
WHERE: 41 Broughton Ave.
WHEN: Friday, 8:30 p.m.
WHY GO: Come join the fun with a great variety of songs and talent. Call for reservations, 973-748-6590.

WHAT: 
WHERE: Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St.
WHEN: Saturday, 2-3 p.m.
WHY GO: Challenge your skills in chess.

WHAT:
WHERE: Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St.
WHEN: Saturday 2:30-4:30 p.m.
WHY GO: Introduction to powerful techniques that increase your well-being through:
  • Reduced stress
  • Increased health & well being
  • More ease & joy in personal relationships
  • Improved self-esteem
  • Greater creativity and clarity of mind
  • A deeper sense of community

WHAT:
WHERE: Bloomfield (John A. Bukowski) Animal Shelter, 61 Bukowski Pl.
WHEN: Sunday, 9 a.m.
WHY GO: Special adoption rates will be in effect from June 24-July 31. All adult cats and dogs will be available for a reduced adoption fee of $25. Older pets over 3 years will be free.